Wrapping paper reuse
Who else collects and reuses wrapping paper? Just at Christmas or year round?
We always fold up the decent bits of paper (those the kids have ripped to shreds go in the recycling bin!) and keep them for future use. Some relatives look down at us for it, thinking we’re being cheap and lazy. Yes, it does save us money (some of which goes into buying better presents for said relatives!) but more importantly, it saves the environment.
The creation of wrapping paper involves chopping down trees, processing the paper (which uses fossil fuels and huge amounts of water) and printing the paper. Then add in the footprint of wrapping paper – how far does it travel to reach your Christmas tree? And if you collect enough paper, it is one less thing you need to worry about buying next Christmas (potentially saving pollution of driving to the shops, too!)
Other ways we save on wrapping paper are:
- using paper we already have (e.g. from the deli) and getting the kids to decorate it – saves paper and money, entertains the kids and provides a personalised wrapping paper
- using something practical instead of paper – tea towels and ribbons in particular wrap gifts nicely
What does everyone else think about green gift wrapping?
December 17th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I always resuse paper that can be reused. I’ve even used old wedding paper inside out so it looks like silver paper!!!
December 17th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I always reuse paper, too – but I’d never thought of turning the metalic ones inside out! Most of our wedding paper was generic enough to reuse, for Valentines Day if nothing else!
And some old wrapping pape goes to the kids (at home or kinder) for their craft work – saves buying coloured craft paper!
December 18th, 2010 at 3:21 am
I think a important portion of contemporary Christmas seems to be complaining about it and the most sacred day on the U.S. Calendar is currently Black Friday.